Comparison of optical rhinometry to acoustic rhinometry using nasal provocation testing with Dermatophagoides farinae

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate optical rhinometry (ORM) as an objective evaluation of nasal patency using nasal provocation testing with Dermatophagoides farinae (Df) as compared with acoustic rhinometry. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective pilot. SETTING: Academic rhinologic practice. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Five adult healthy controls and five adult subjects with allergic rhinitis (AR) underwent nasal provocation testing with increasing concentrations of Df while undergoing ORM. The minimum concentration of Df causing a positive reading was recorded. Nasal cross-sectional area was measured before and after testing using acoustic rhinometry. Nasal patency was assessed subjectively after each challenge with the visual analogue scale. RESULTS: The median amount of Df causing a positive response on ORM was less in AR patients as compared to healthy controls, at 5000 AU/mL and greater than 10,000 AU/mL, respectively. There was a statistically significant correlation between the change in optical density in ORM and subjective nasal congestion after increasing Df challenges (r = 0.63; P = 0.0007). Similarly, there was a statistically significant correlation between change in optical density by ORM and both minimum cross-sectional areas as measured by acoustic rhinometry (r = -0.60, P = 0.03; and r = -0.64, P = 0.02, respectively). CONCLUSION: This is the first study to show a correlation between optical rhinometry and acoustic rhinometry during nasal provocation testing with Df In addition, the data support a correlation of optical rhinometry to subjective symptoms of nasal congestion. These preliminary data suggest that optical rhinometry is able to assess changes in nasal patency during challenges with Df. (C) 2010 American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation. All rights reserved.